Adding USB port to 2008 IS-F / Navi Firmware
#1
Driver
Thread Starter
Adding USB port to 2008 IS-F / Navi Firmware
All
Has anyone checked to see if the (now factory installed) USB port can be retrofitted into the 2008 IS-F?
I really want to be able to jack a thumb drive into the car for playing MP3's - and i know the VAIStech units are the way to go - but a bit pricey - plus the USB port is on the unit - requiring some kind of extension to your installation location....
I guess the question is really more of -- does the 2008 head unit have the capability of accepting USB connectivity? Or are the head units completely different between the 2008-9 and 2010 versions?
also - are there any updates available for the head unit/NAVI? (more than just maps... but that's a question as well)
TIA
doug
Has anyone checked to see if the (now factory installed) USB port can be retrofitted into the 2008 IS-F?
I really want to be able to jack a thumb drive into the car for playing MP3's - and i know the VAIStech units are the way to go - but a bit pricey - plus the USB port is on the unit - requiring some kind of extension to your installation location....
I guess the question is really more of -- does the 2008 head unit have the capability of accepting USB connectivity? Or are the head units completely different between the 2008-9 and 2010 versions?
also - are there any updates available for the head unit/NAVI? (more than just maps... but that's a question as well)
TIA
doug
#4
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (2)
Before I installed the flyaudio system, I bought a usb device by Gromaudio. It fits onto the back of the stock unit and gives a usb female plug to attach usb devices. I attached a 8GB usb drive onto it and played mp3's off of the usb drive through the stock system. The factory unit "sees" the usb as a pseudo-CD changer. And reads the main folders in the root directory as individual "discs". It cost about $120, much cheaper than vaistech.
Most people would likely put the female usb in the glove box. I actually placed it underneath the stock cd changer and up to the left side of the side console garnish. That piece is easy to remove, so if I ever need to access the usb drive it's easy to do so, also it prevents thieves who automatically look in the glove box for things to take.
It worked reasonably well, although it's not without its glitches. On rare occasions it just didn't start with the car. And if that happened, you'd need to turn the car off, wait a few seconds, then turn it back on and then it'd start. But it was still a satisfactory solution, and I'd likely would have kept it if I didn't go with flyaudio.
I still have it if anyone's interested. Can't say for certain it'll work with oem Navi units but I don't see why it wouldn't.
Most people would likely put the female usb in the glove box. I actually placed it underneath the stock cd changer and up to the left side of the side console garnish. That piece is easy to remove, so if I ever need to access the usb drive it's easy to do so, also it prevents thieves who automatically look in the glove box for things to take.
It worked reasonably well, although it's not without its glitches. On rare occasions it just didn't start with the car. And if that happened, you'd need to turn the car off, wait a few seconds, then turn it back on and then it'd start. But it was still a satisfactory solution, and I'd likely would have kept it if I didn't go with flyaudio.
I still have it if anyone's interested. Can't say for certain it'll work with oem Navi units but I don't see why it wouldn't.
#6
Lexus Connoisseur
All
Has anyone checked to see if the (now factory installed) USB port can be retrofitted into the 2008 IS-F?
I really want to be able to jack a thumb drive into the car for playing MP3's - and i know the VAIStech units are the way to go - but a bit pricey - plus the USB port is on the unit - requiring some kind of extension to your installation location....
I guess the question is really more of -- does the 2008 head unit have the capability of accepting USB connectivity? Or are the head units completely different between the 2008-9 and 2010 versions?
also - are there any updates available for the head unit/NAVI? (more than just maps... but that's a question as well)
TIA
doug
Has anyone checked to see if the (now factory installed) USB port can be retrofitted into the 2008 IS-F?
I really want to be able to jack a thumb drive into the car for playing MP3's - and i know the VAIStech units are the way to go - but a bit pricey - plus the USB port is on the unit - requiring some kind of extension to your installation location....
I guess the question is really more of -- does the 2008 head unit have the capability of accepting USB connectivity? Or are the head units completely different between the 2008-9 and 2010 versions?
also - are there any updates available for the head unit/NAVI? (more than just maps... but that's a question as well)
TIA
doug
It is almost impossible because the Gen 5 Nav is DVD based and Gen 6 Nav is HDD based. You would basically have to buy a whole new center cluster, center console, wiring harness, and etc. Just the center cluster alone (nav screen, 6 disc cd changer) is just about $10k in parts alone. As for the USB port in the center console, it would be a tricky feat to accomplish as there are no usb aux inputs for older Gen 5 Nav/HU. The simple answer to your question is no, they are not interchangeable/compatible.
#7
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (2)
Sorry it took a while... I couldn't find it at first then I realized it's at the folks' place... Here are pics of the Grom.
Nevermind the connector marked "ipod" as it's non-functional. I have no idea why that's there.
The white male plug goes onto the stock deck. The white female plug takes the stock plug. That's it as far as connections goes. If you're familiar with removing your oem CD changer/navi assembly, installation would probably take 20min max.
Found some old pics of where I hid the female usb plug. But you can feed it into the glove box or anywhere else if you wish. (Thumb drive not included)
Originally paid $130 for it. I'll sell it for $75 shipped within North America.
Nevermind the connector marked "ipod" as it's non-functional. I have no idea why that's there.
The white male plug goes onto the stock deck. The white female plug takes the stock plug. That's it as far as connections goes. If you're familiar with removing your oem CD changer/navi assembly, installation would probably take 20min max.
Found some old pics of where I hid the female usb plug. But you can feed it into the glove box or anywhere else if you wish. (Thumb drive not included)
Originally paid $130 for it. I'll sell it for $75 shipped within North America.
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